Tehran has set up a criminal court to bring to trial the perpetrators of the Gaza Strip offensive, Iranian judiciary spokesman says. "Under the articles 8 and 146 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, all countries are legally authorized to investigate the Gaza crimes as Israel has jeopardized peace and committed genocide in the coastal region," Alireza Jamshidi told reporters on Tuesday.
"The court is in a special branch in Tehran and entrusted with the task of dealing with the executors, planners and officials of this (Israeli) regime who have committed crimes," Jamshidi continued.
Iran's Judiciary spokesman added that the Islamic Republic, as a signatory to the convention, will send letters to the Judiciary chiefs of Muslim countries, demanding their cooperation with the court in Tehran.
The Islamic Republic has also been stepping up efforts to halt the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip.
Israel began its assault on Gaza on Saturday to take out targets linked to the democratically-elected Hamas government. At least 385 people have been killed and over 1,800 others have been injured so far.
Hamas responded by firing mortar shells and rockets into the Israeli occupied territories. Six Israelis have been killed and 16 others have been injured since Saturday.
Israel is amassing thousands of troops along the border with the Gaza Strip -- a move which is interpreted as preparation for a ground assault into the region.
"Protected persons may in no circumstances renounce in part or in entirety the rights secured to them by the present Convention," Article 8 of the convention reads.
Article 146 obligates High Contracting Parties to the Convention to "search for persons alleged to have committed or to have ordered to be committed" grave breaches, and to bring such persons before its own courts.
Jamshidi continued that Palestinians could file petitions against Israel's crimes and send them to the court in Tehran for further proceedings.
Moreover, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on Tuesday urged the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) to hold an emergency session on the Gaza crisis.
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Topic: Iran sets up court for Gaza criminals (Read 474 times)